Graham Skipper is one of those people who can do anything. From author to actor via script writing to directing, he always delivers something wonderful and original. He's back at FrightFest with his latest movie, The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine so we chatted to him just before its European Premiere.
NYX: You’re one of the most recognizable faces we see at FrightFest, apart from this movie, what else have you been up to?
GS: I’ve been keeping busy! I have a few film and writing projects that I’ve been working on that will hopefully start coalescing soon!
NYX: Where did the idea for this movie come from?
GS: A couple of years ago my father unexpectedly lost his wife, and watching his grieving process from the sidelines made me consider what it would be like to literally be the last man on earth, now truly alone. The desire to bring the loved one back, survivor’s guilt, all of those complex emotions surrounding loss and loneliness. So I wanted to explore that within myself, of course through a sci-fi/horror thematic lens.
NYX: How hard is it directing yourself?
GS: I actually found it easier than I was expecting it to be. I trusted my DoP Ken Whiting tremendously, and generally I could feel when I was hitting what I wanted to hit from an emotional perspective, so between the two of us we were able to capture what we intended.
NYX: Did it take long to shoot?
GS: The film was designed to be shot quickly, so we could really get the most out of our limited resources. So we shot it fast! Having the setup time to really craft the production in such a way where we could save on time but not on quality really helped us achieve what we wanted.
NYX: It’s an emotional movie, was it tough on yourself as your character, Wozzek really goes through it?
GS: Those days were definitely long and emotionally draining. But in the end I knew what we were getting would be impactful, so that drove me to just be excited to film more.
NYX: Was it all shot on location?
GS: Yes, it was all shot on location in Bastrop, TX (same town where they shot the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre!)
NYX: Any chance you’ll release the song Wozzek wrote for him and his wife?
GS: Ha, that’s a funny idea! I hadn’t thought of that but that could definitely be fun…
NYX: It plays like The Twilight Zone meets A Christmas Carol, would you agree?
GS: Those were two of my biggest influences, so I’m glad that came through!
NYX: Do you believe in an afterlife?
GS: I don’t not believe in it? I just don’t really know. Depends on the day you ask me, maybe. But I do feel it’s a fascinating concept to explore in art.
NYX: Do you prefer writing, directing or acting?
GS: I really love all three, I could never choose between them. Acting and writing are the easiest, because you have one specific focus. Directing is challenging because you have to be able to answer every question and be prepared for whatever possible issue may arise. But I love crafting worlds and telling these stories through my own lens and in my own voice, so I’ll never stop doing any of them.
NYX: If you suddenly found yourself as the only person on Earth, what would be the first thing you?
GS: I’d hop in a car with my dog, and we’d drive up to Maine so I could live in Stephen King’s house.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
GS: Nothing I can talk about! But it’s all very exciting and very fun!
NYX: Graham Skipper, thank you very much.
